πΆπ¦ State of Qatar (ΩΨ·Ψ±)
Visiting: ReasonableLGBT visiting: Dangerous
With a few caveats, Qatar is a safe place to visit. Same-sex relationships are criminalised and punishable by death, which places it 176th for LGBT rights, so LGBT travellers should weigh this carefully. Even so, violent crime is close to non-existent, the 3rd-lowest homicide rate, and road deaths are low, at 49th. Women's safety is fair, ranking 62nd, and freedom is tightly restricted, at 121st.
Homicide
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people β lower is better.
Qatar: 0.1
Ranked 3rd in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
Why this rank?
A tenth of a killing per 100,000 people a year is about the lowest rate anywhere and far under the one that marks the safest countries.
Is it safe to visit?
As safe as it gets.
Road Fatalities
Road-traffic deaths per 100,000 people per year β lower is better.
Qatar: 7.3
Ranked 49th in the world for the safest roads.
Why this rank?
Seven deaths per 100,000 people a year is low but close to seven and a half, which is half the world average.
Is it safe to visit?
Safe by world standards.
Conflict
Conflict deaths inside the country in the last twelve months, as recorded by the Uppsala conflict database, civilians killed on purpose, and any UN sanctions or court order over a war. The worst of those sets the colour. Lower is better.
Qatar: 2.24
Ranked 65th most conflict-affected country in the world.
Why this rank?
Six people died in fighting inside Qatar in the year to July 2026, none of them civilians killed on purpose. The last was in September 2025, and none since.
Is it safe to visit?
Six people died in Doha in September 2025, when Israel struck the city during the Gaza war. Nothing is recorded since.
Freedom
Six freedoms rated 0β4 by Freedom House β protest, speech, press, religion, movement and due process. The weakest rating sets the colour, and the total places the country inside it β higher is better.
Qatar: 5.31
Ranked 60th least free country in the world.
Why this rank?
In Qatar 4 of the six freedoms are rated 1 and the rest higher. Total 8 of 24.
Is it safe to visit?
The emir holds all executive and legislative authority and political parties are not permitted. Most residents are noncitizens with few civil liberties. Keep out of politics.
LGBT Rights
LGBT equality in law and daily life β higher is better.
Qatar: Stoning
Ranked 5th least equal in the world for LGBT people.
Why this rank?
Same-sex acts carry up to seven years, with sharia provisions for Muslims on top. Red by law.
Is it safe to visit?
Not safe to be open. The World Cup spotlight came and went. Detentions of locals continue quietly and expat discretion is mandatory.
Women's Safety
Women's safety β feeling safe out at night, political violence against women, a fair hearing in court, and how normal violence at home is, with the night figure setting a floor on the colour β higher is better.
Qatar: 7.76
Ranked 62nd safest country in the world for women.
Why this rank?
No attacks on women are recorded and almost nobody says a husband can be justified in beating his wife. The courts rate below fair for women, and that is what holds it back.
Is it safe to visit?
Qatar is a reasonable choice for a woman travelling alone.